Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Primary Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Purpose and Background
Arthritis affecting the shoulder includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, posttraumatic arthritis, cuff tear arthropathy, and post-capsulorrhaphy arthropathy. Primary osteoarthritis is the most common form and characterized as a slow progressing disease that leads to cartilage thinning and ultimately, complete cartilage loss resulting in bone on bone contact and pain. There are many risk factors for shoulder arthritis including age, sex, race, genetics, weight, trauma, dislocation, and history of previous surgery. The prevalence of shoulder arthritis increases with age and have a significant impact and burden on the world population and economy. l Treatment of shoulder arthritis includes pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, cortisone injections, and activity modification. Patients with persistent symptoms after conservative management will benefit with surgical intervention.
